[Geoff]

My nephew is awesome. He is 12 years old and loves working in my workshop. It's really cool because the kid is smart and so eager to learn new skills.

He came over today and wanted to do projects. I explained to him that I needed a cover for the shifter hole of the 56 Chevy hot rod project. We talked it over, and he took all the measurements, then made a pattern out of a poster board that fits perfectly.

He was so excited to make the cover out of steel, but unfortunately, we ran out of the 16 gauge sheet metal we needed. As we wrapped up our work for the day, he begged me not to make the cover without him because he wanted to use the riv-nut tool. It's incredible how quickly he picks up new skills and remembers everything I teach him. Just a few weeks ago, I taught him how to weld, and after watching me do it once, he ran a nice bead.

Even though we didn't get started until after noon today, we still managed to accomplish a lot. He helped me load a car onto a trailer, running the winch like a pro. We also restored a vintage Wilton vice together, with him blasting and painting the parts. We even pulled out the differential and 4 bar suspension from the 56 and set it up to mock up new wheels. And to top it all off, he helped me clean the workshop without me even asking him to.
He is truly a good kid, and I feel fortunate to have such a good helper in the workshop.

 

[Fif-d5]

Very cool. One of the best ways to learn and keep the younger generation involved.

 

[myfirstone]

COOL !!!

 

[Churchkey]

Good to have helper that wants to learn & good on you teaching him.
Suggest getting that kid a pair of Levi's & boots for working in the shop the "jammy-pants" & sneaker thing is a no-go.

 

[oldguysrule]

Awesome!

 

[Ace57]

That is fantastic! Having them involved in learning real world skills, instead of "gaming" or "social media" is priceless for their well being and future.
My hat is off to you for understanding that, and your patience in teaching as well.

 

[twin engines]

Outstanding!

 

[55wagoncrazy]

Never had a son to have around to learn. He went with his mom and almost all my worldly possessions years ago. Today he sits
in prison yet again and may stay there the rest of his life. I have a nephew that is now in his early 20's and has his own 55 gasser
project in my shop

He is like the son I wish I had.

Blessing for you Geoff

 

[Shadetree55]

Deleted by me. I should have shared that privately.

 

[55wagoncrazy]

I'm sorry to hear that about your son. Similar situation with me. I got left pretty much with the clothes on my back. She got my son. I got 2 days a month with my son. tried to teach him and be an example of what it took to make it in life and it was something you had to work at to make it. His mom and her mother handed everything to him on a silver platter. he got into drugs as a teen and spent his life in and out of prison from late teens until about age 22. last time for 3.5 years. I made a 600 mile round trip every Sunday to visit him for all those years. he finally got out and I arranged a job for him. Quit after 3 weeks. Hanging with the same friends as before. He absconded on his parole and was about to go back to prison to finish his original sentence of 7 years. The judge was a friend of mine and I went to him and asked if I could convince my son to relocate and get away from the crowd he ran with and he would approve it I would arrange it. He said he definitely would. A buddy of mine lives in Florida and he agreed to help him get set up there if he would make the move. My son agreed and the judge gave him permission and he made the move. That was the life changing experience for him. He will be 45 in May and has never even had so much as a speeding ticket. He worked at a used car dealership and went to barber school at night. He had already realized he had the talent because he cut hair in prison for cell mates. he now owns a barber shop with 5 chairs. Semi-pro bass fishes and is married to a high school sweetheart. I'm probably the only one who never gave up on him. I owe all this to God who listened to my constant prayers and tears. 3 years ago my judge friend retired and before he did he called me and said he has kept track of Nick and since he had stayed clean all these years he was ordering his record expunged and for the first time in his life he was allowed to vote.

Story is the similar, names and location are just different. But I don't want the focus of this post to go sideways.

Mikey

 

[Shadetree55]

Story is the similar, names and location are just different. But I don't want the focus of this post to go sideways.

Mikey

true, sorry about derailing. just felt like I should share---should have just messaged-------

 

[Murph]

My nephew is awesome. He is 12 years old and loves working in my workshop. It's really cool because the kid is smart and so eager to learn new skills.

He came over today and wanted to do projects. I explained to him that I needed a cover for the shifter hole of the 56 Chevy hot rod project. We talked it over, and he took all the measurements, then made a pattern out of a poster board that fits perfectly.

View attachment 391812


He was so excited to make the cover out of steel, but unfortunately, we ran out of the 16 gauge sheet metal we needed. As we wrapped up our work for the day, he begged me not to make the cover without him because he wanted to use the riv-nut tool. It's incredible how quickly he picks up new skills and remembers everything I teach him. Just a few weeks ago, I taught him how to weld, and after watching me do it once, he ran a nice bead.

View attachment 391813

Even though we didn't get started until after noon today, we still managed to accomplish a lot. He helped me load a car onto a trailer, running the winch like a pro. We also restored a vintage Wilton vice together, with him blasting and painting the parts. We even pulled out the differential and 4 bar suspension from the 56 and set it up to mock up new wheels. And to top it all off, he helped me clean the workshop without me even asking him to.
He is truly a good kid, and I feel fortunate to have such a good helper in the workshop.

That is fantastic! Send him over, I have a few projects!😄
Seriously, keep up the mentoring, you have incredible material to work with and you and he are making memories that are a treasure. 👍

 

[angs1957]

They are like sponges, absorb so much effortlessly, they also learn and pick up new things so quickly, his not only a great helper but if nothing else awesome companionship

 

[Dragsix]

Outstanding. He will grow up knowing how to do more than a few things for himself!

 

[Geoff]

Thanks, Guys.

Another cool thing about my nephew is that he is already pretty advanced at using technology. He can already do some IT troubleshooting and is really good at it.
He is helping me set up a full security system and cameras for our property.

Never had a son to have around to learn. He went with his mom and almost all my worldly possessions years ago. Today he sits
in prison yet again and may stay there the rest of his life. I have a nephew that is now in his early 20's and has his own 55 gasser
project in my shop

He is like the son I wish I had.

Blessing for you Geoff

Thanks, Mikey. I remember us talking about your son. Sounds like the Lord blessed us both with awesome nephews.
I'm blessed to have a sweet young daughter (The kid in my avatar is now 13 years old) but if I had a son I would like him to be like my nephew.

 

[Geoff]

Good to have helper that wants to learn & good on you teaching him.
Suggest getting that kid a pair of Levi's & boots for working in the shop the "jammy-pants" & sneaker thing is a no-go.

I agree.

He begged his Mom to bring him over. He had been at his Grandparent's house and she picked him up from there and didn't have time to go home to get a change of clothes.
I kept him safe and away from anything dangerous.
*****He has his own gloves, welding gloves, and welding helmet in my shop and knows where all the safety gear is.

 

[rodonnell]

Here's the conversation at school .
Friend : "Hey its a nice day . You want to come over and play Grand Theft Auto ? "

Nephew : " No thanks . I'm going to go work on the '56 Tri Five Hot Rod ."

 

[iquitos46]

Thank you for what you're doing with your nephew. Putting a foundation under a kid is one of the finest things a man can get to do in life. The kid will leave you with a smile on your face and carry your memory forward long after you close shop for the last time. Watching a young face change as months and years fly past is amazing. From a happy, goofy, puppy dog grin to the confident, smiling face of a young man and you are part of that. It's kind of like the first picture of a project car and the finished car cruising down the road. What a pleasure and honor you have to be part of his life. Tell him hello from a bunch of men who are proud of him.

 

[Rick_L]

My nephew (now in his 20s) learned to tig weld when he was 14 so he could build parts for and repair his competitive "bots". I was very impressed.

 

[Geoff]

Thank you for what you're doing with your nephew. Putting a foundation under a kid is one of the finest things a man can get to do in life. The kid will leave you with a smile on your face and carry your memory forward long after you close shop for the last time. Watching a young face change as months and years fly past is amazing. From a happy, goofy, puppy dog grin to the confident, smiling face of a young man and you are part of that. It's kind of like the first picture of a project car and the finished car cruising down the road. What a pleasure and honor you have to be part of his life. Tell him hello from a bunch of men who are proud of him.

Man, What a wonderful and thoughtful post. Thank you very much for writing that.

My nephew was adopted and it may have saved his life. He's a bit of a miracle kid. He had been severely malnourished and treated badly as an infant. After his adoption, he still hoarded food for a while and had some other issues that he thankfully was able to outgrow. They thought he had some learning issues but he has progressed to being an extremely bright student in a top school district. His IQ has tested high and it looks like his future is very bright. I am seriously stunned at how quickly he learns things and feel that he is capable of just about anything he wants to do. I intend to help him in any way I can.